Loving father dies in Sampit accident

By Scott Harpersharper@southstrandnews.com

The accident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Kent Road near Durwood Street which is between Highway 17A and Highway 521.

Coroner Kenny Johnson said 22-year-old Wallace Byars of Paprika Way was alone in his vehicle. He said Byars ran off the left side of the road, struck a ditch then a driveway.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Because of the damage to the vehicle, it took emergency workers nearly two hours to remove Byars from the car.

The accident is still under investigation by the SC Highway Patrol.

Friends of Byars – an employee of SafeRack ­– are remembering him as a person they loved being around.

Destene Miller said she knew Byars for six years after meeting him at The Filling Station, a Christian youth entertainment center which was operated by Byars’ father-in-law Robert Cox.

“He was an overall sweet and awesome guy. He was there for you whenever you needed him,” she said.

Byars is survived by a young son and his wife, April, who is pregnant with their second child.

“He was an amazing father. He was always playing with his son,” Miller said. “He was a very open-minded person with a great spirit.”

Minister Mitch Anderson said he knew Byars most of his life. He said Byars was part of his youth group.

“Over the last few years, he changed a lot when he became a dad. He loved his son and the little girl on the way.

“He loved his wife and loved to assist anyway. He loved to share Jesus with people.

“Wally was a good guy would help anyone and always in a good mood. He will be missed,” Anderson said.

Stacy Elliott said she attended church with Byars and also remembers his interaction with his son.

“I talked to him some at church and he always seemed to be very nice kind-hearted young man. He loved his family and was a great father to his son.

“He did what he could to help others and always had a smiling face. Wally will be greatly missed by so many but we will forever cherish the memories he left us with for he did have a heart full of love for everyone,” she commented.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 6 p.m., Aug. 28, at the Rock Pentecostal Holiness Church.

The Byars family will receive family and friends immediately after the service in the church sanctuary.

A Committal Service will be 11 a.m., Friday at the Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens.

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